Bathroom Renovation Cost UK 2026 — Complete Price Guide
How much does a bathroom renovation actually cost? Full breakdown by budget level, with labour, materials, and fixture costs.
For homeowners planning a bathroom renovation and tradespeople quoting them
Last updated: May 2026
"How much will my bathroom renovation cost?" is the single most common question UK homeowners ask when planning a bathroom project. The answer depends on the size of the bathroom, the quality of fixtures, and whether you are doing a cosmetic refresh or a full strip-out-and-start-again renovation.
This guide provides realistic 2026 pricing for UK bathroom renovations at three budget levels, with a detailed breakdown of where the money goes. Whether you are a homeowner planning a project or a tradesperson quoting one, these figures provide guide ranges for early budgeting.
Bathroom Renovation Costs at a Glance
| Level | Typical Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | £1,500 – £3,000 | New taps, paint, accessories, regrout. Keep existing suite and tiles where possible. |
| Mid-range renovation | £5,000 – £10,000 | New suite, wall and floor tiles, shower screen or enclosure, vanity unit, heated towel rail. |
| High-end renovation | £10,000 – £20,000+ | Premium fixtures, underfloor heating, walk-in shower, freestanding bath, bespoke storage, designer tiling. |
London and the South East typically add 20–40% to these figures. Rural areas tend to be at the lower end of each range.
Labour Cost Breakdown
| Trade | Typical Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber (first and second fix) | £800 – £1,500 | 2 – 3 days |
| Tiler (walls and floor) | £600 – £1,200 | 2 – 3 days |
| Electrician | £300 – £600 | 1 day |
| Plasterer | £300 – £500 | 1 day |
| Painter & decorator | £200 – £400 | 1 day |
| Labourer (strip-out) | £200 – £400 | 1 day |
| Skip hire | £200 – £350 | — |
Total labour for a mid-range renovation: £2,600 – £4,950
Fixture and Material Costs
Bathroom Suite
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toilet | £100 – £200 | £200 – £500 | £500 – £1,200 |
| Basin + vanity | £80 – £200 | £200 – £600 | £600 – £1,500 |
| Bath (standard) | £100 – £250 | £250 – £600 | — |
| Freestanding bath | — | £400 – £800 | £800 – £2,500 |
| Shower enclosure | £150 – £300 | £300 – £700 | £700 – £2,000 |
| Shower valve + head | £50 – £150 | £150 – £400 | £400 – £1,000 |
| Heated towel rail | £50 – £100 | £100 – £300 | £300 – £600 |
Tiling
- Budget ceramic tiles — £15 – £30 per m²
- Mid-range porcelain tiles — £30 – £60 per m²
- Large format / designer tiles — £60 – £120+ per m²
- Adhesive, grout, waterproofing — add £5 – £10 per m²
An average UK bathroom (8 m² floor, 20 m² walls) requires approximately 28 m² of tiles. At mid-range prices, tiling materials cost £980 – £1,960.
What Affects the Final Price?
- Bathroom size — a small en-suite is significantly cheaper than a large family bathroom
- Moving pipework — relocating the toilet, basin, or shower adds plumbing cost
- Underfloor heating — adds £500 – £1,200 depending on system type and bathroom size
- Structural work — removing walls, adding windows, or building stud partitions increases cost
- Accessibility features — level-access showers, grab rails, and wider doorways for accessible bathrooms
- Location — London prices are typically 25–40% higher than the national average
Getting an Accurate Quote
The best way to get an accurate price for your specific bathroom renovation is to get itemised quotes from two or three local tradespeople. A good quote should break down labour, materials, and fixtures separately — see our guide on what a construction quote should include.
For tradespeople: TailoredQuote generates fully itemised, branded bathroom renovation quotes in minutes using AI. You can also generate AI bathroom mockups (illustrative only) to show clients an illustrative version of the proposed finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
A basic bathroom renovation costs £3,000–£5,000. A mid-range renovation runs £5,000–£10,000. A high-end renovation can cost £10,000–£20,000+. London and the South East are typically 25–40% higher.
A straightforward bathroom renovation typically takes one to two weeks. More complex projects involving structural changes, underfloor heating, or custom tiling can take three to four weeks.
Yes, with a cosmetic refresh rather than a full renovation. Replacing taps, regrouting tiles, painting, and adding new accessories can transform a bathroom for £1,000–£2,500 without a full strip-out.
Generally no. Most bathroom renovations fall under permitted development. However, if you are converting another room into a bathroom, or if you live in a listed building or conservation area, you may need planning permission or listed building consent.
How we estimated these ranges
This is a guide only. The ranges below are intended for early budgeting and trade benchmarking. They are not a substitute for a site visit or an itemised quote from a qualified tradesperson. Always get a site-specific quote before agreeing work.
What's included in these ranges: typical labour costs, common materials at standard specification, and routine preparation or installation work for a standard project of this type.
What's excluded: unusual access (multi-storey, restricted parking), unforeseen structural issues, specialist design or architect fees, planning and building control application fees, premium or high-end finishes, emergency or out-of-hours work, and regional extremes.
Regional note: London, the South East and remote rural areas can vary significantly from the UK averages shown. London labour rates in particular can run 30–50% higher than national averages on the same scope.
Sources and checks used:
- Publicly available UK trade supplier pricing (2025–2026)
- Common day-rate and labour-duration assumptions used in trade quoting
- Internal example quote structures from TailoredQuote platform data
Last reviewed: May 2026 by TailoredQuote. Prices in this guide will be reviewed and updated periodically.
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